NASA has recently announced the crew for the upcoming Artemis II mission, which is set to take place in 2023. This mission will mark the first time humans have traveled to the moon since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972, almost 50 years ago.
The Artemis II mission is a crucial step in NASA’s plan to establish a sustainable presence on the moon by 2024. The mission will involve sending a crew of four astronauts on a test flight of the Orion spacecraft, which will be launched on the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket.
The crew for the Artemis II mission includes two NASA astronauts and two international partners. The NASA astronauts are Nicole Mann and Anne McClain, while the international partners are Matthias Maurer from the European Space Agency (ESA) and Raja Chari from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
Nicole Mann is a veteran astronaut who has previously served as a test pilot for the U.S. Marine Corps. She was selected by NASA in 2013 as part of the agency’s astronaut class and has since completed extensive training in preparation for spaceflight.
Anne McClain is also a veteran astronaut who has previously served as a flight engineer on the International Space Station (ISS). She was selected by NASA in 2013 and has logged over 200 days in space.
Matthias Maurer is a member of ESA’s astronaut corps and was selected in 2015. He has a background in materials science and has conducted research on the ISS.
Raja Chari is a member of ISRO’s astronaut corps and was selected in 2017. He is a veteran U.S. Air Force fighter pilot and has logged over 2,000 hours of flight time.
The Artemis II mission will be a critical test of the Orion spacecraft and the SLS rocket, which will be used to launch astronauts to the moon and eventually to Mars. The mission will involve a flyby of the moon, during which the crew will test the spacecraft’s systems and perform a variety of scientific experiments.
The Artemis program is part of NASA’s broader goal of exploring deep space and establishing a sustainable presence on the moon and Mars. The program aims to build on the legacy of the Apollo missions and inspire a new generation of scientists, engineers, and explorers.
In conclusion, the Artemis II mission is an exciting milestone in NASA’s efforts to explore deep space and establish a sustainable presence on the moon. The crew for the mission includes a diverse group of experienced astronauts from NASA, ESA, and ISRO, who will work together to test the Orion spacecraft and pave the way for future missions to the moon and beyond.
